Fortune: Westmeath ‘didn’t work hard enough’ in Carlow

After his troops’ dismal defeat in Carlow last Sunday, Joe Fortune’s initial two words were “very disappointing”, and these euphemistic words will resonate with the few pockets of Lake County fans present in Netwatch Cullen Park where the home team comfortably disposed of a weak Westmeath challenge.

Like the loyal travelling supporters and media personnel present, the Wexford native was at a loss to explain the lethargic display they had all witnessed.

Fortune opined: “I’m surprised actually because we trained very hard during the week. I thought even this morning when we met that the attitude was good, but look we were out-worked and out-fought in the first half when we were facing into the wind.

“I’m very disappointed with our own work ethic. It has been easy talk to media after the days we had before today, but it’s my job to look at ye on the good days and the bad days. It’s early in the day and it’s a learning process.

“We didn’t work hard enough today, and that’s not good enough for this team. I thought ‘Jogger’ (Doyle) and Darragh Egerton were really good at the back. They never gave up, but we didn’t win our own primary ball in midfield or the half forward line.” he added.

Westmeath were pre-match favourites for the clash, but their opponents dominated from start to finish. The bainisteoir continued: “Carlow are a very proud hurling county and they were hurting after last weekend (when they lost to Down) and there was always going to be a bit of a reaction from them.

“We had three poor wides at the start of the second half and just nothing seemed to go for us at all. We upped our work rate in the second half, but not enough.

“Are our lads hurting inside? Absolutely. We just weren’t good enough today.”

Westmeath will face their Nick Weir-managed eastern neighbours Meath next Sunday week. Fortune was asked could he get his players up for the challenge and he concluded by saying: “That’s my job to do so. Meath are a very good side with a very strong management team. We are going to have to go back to basics and get our hard work ethic back. It just wasn’t on show today. We’re facing into a two-week self-reflection break. Was today a good wake-up call? I don’t know, but we’ll know in two weeks’ time.

“There will be a question mark over everybody after today - who really wants this over the coming weeks?”

- Gerry Buckley